I do not presume to know what the OP needs this for

I went through a thread where i made the case for keeping things simple with another member ages ago - all this non destructible editing stuff is not keeping it simple for me

As far as I can see a Hard Erase does not preserve a vector shape as a vector for output but you can still use the Shape Tool to edit it.
my point - I would use the shape tool in the first place to intersect; I don't need all the rest

handrwn, you are doing Opacity masks a disservice.
no I am appling the principle of william of occam in the general sense: never do something in a complicated way when a simpler way will do